Job summary
Are you an assistant psychologist, PWP or therapist? Are you looking to expand your skills and get more experience of working in crisis? If so, then this is the position for you!
Working over the phone, you'll be responsible for conducting clinical risk and mental state assessments, providing short-term psychological interventions, and signposting patients to the most appropriate care. You'll be an expert in emotional validation and de-escalating crises, using a range of psychological interventions to empower patients and their families.
With a variety of shift patterns available, you'll provide 24/7 support to those in need. We're looking for confident, recovery focused individuals with excellent communication skills. So if you're ready to take on this exciting new challenge, apply now to make a difference in people's lives
Main duties of the job
The SPA promotes dynamic and innovative way of working, triaging and responding to crisis referrals. The role encompasses the NHS principle; right care, right time and right place. The SPA triages mental health crisis calls and referrals, providing tele-coaching psychologically informed interventions, support, guidance and signposting.
Working via telephone within the SPA, Telecoaches are experts in validating, de-escalating crisis, formulating plans and coaching people in distress tolerance and emotional regulation strategies. Using a range of brief psychological interventions, Telecoaches empower patients, carers and families to manage distress and crisis effectively.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Details
Date posted
16 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£35,763 to £43,466 a year per annum pro rata inclusive of 15% HCAS
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
222-HOU-107
Job locations
St Bernards
Uxbridge Road London
Southall
UB1 3EU
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job descriptionJob responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Qualified to degree level in a relevant subject (nursing, OT, Social Worker, Psychologist with BPS approved post graduate certificate, counselling, psychological therapy) or equivalent experience.
- Psychological Therapy qualification (or currently working towards). PWP training course qualification
- Significant demonstrable equivalent experience in specific area or practice
Desirable
- Masters level training in relevant Psychological or Mental Health area.
- Post-graduate training in relevant mental-health / psychological / recovery discipline.
- Qualified psychological therapist
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of work with people with moderate to severe mental health problems.
- Experience in psychological interventions - CBT or interpersonal therapy / dialectical behaviour therapy interventions or other evidence based approaches.
- Experience of NHS procedures and structures.
- Experience of multi-agency working.
- Experience of working within and multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable
- Experience delivering psychological therapies via telephone.
- Experience in applying specialist psychological therapies.
- Previous experience of working within a crisis team.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of legislation related to mental health and social care e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Care Programme Approach etc.
- Knowledge and skill in assessment, formulation of need and evaluation of presenting problems
- Competency in delivering clinical skills i.e. assessment, therapeutic interventions and management of mental health
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Ability to challenge existing practice and promote continuous quality improvement. Influencing and negotiating skills as well as adept at conflict resolution Presenting skills and IT literate - specifically in the MS office suite of programmes.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage distressing and challenging situations.
- Ability to challenge existing practice and promote continuous quality improvement.
- Influencing and negotiating skills as well as adept at conflict resolution
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Ability to communicate information on formulation, risk and intervention to staff from other disciplines.
- Excellent report writing skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of RiO patient record system.
- Previous experience of assessing people who present in an acute mental health crisis.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Good range of information gathering skills.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with learning disability, problems or other disabilities.
- Good range of problem solving skills.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
- Ability to assess and manage risks.
- An ability to sustain empathy and personal engagement with individuals experiencing mental health problems or challenging behaviour.
- Willingness to embrace integrated model and new ways of working.
- Driven, reliable and methodical
Other requirements
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing a service to clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week may include some on-call work.
- Fit and able to undertake patient facing work as and when required
Desirable
- oPossession of a valid UK driving license.
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Qualified to degree level in a relevant subject (nursing, OT, Social Worker, Psychologist with BPS approved post graduate certificate, counselling, psychological therapy) or equivalent experience.
- Psychological Therapy qualification (or currently working towards). PWP training course qualification
- Significant demonstrable equivalent experience in specific area or practice
Desirable
- Masters level training in relevant Psychological or Mental Health area.
- Post-graduate training in relevant mental-health / psychological / recovery discipline.
- Qualified psychological therapist
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of work with people with moderate to severe mental health problems.
- Experience in psychological interventions - CBT or interpersonal therapy / dialectical behaviour therapy interventions or other evidence based approaches.
- Experience of NHS procedures and structures.
- Experience of multi-agency working.
- Experience of working within and multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable
- Experience delivering psychological therapies via telephone.
- Experience in applying specialist psychological therapies.
- Previous experience of working within a crisis team.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of legislation related to mental health and social care e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Care Programme Approach etc.
- Knowledge and skill in assessment, formulation of need and evaluation of presenting problems
- Competency in delivering clinical skills i.e. assessment, therapeutic interventions and management of mental health
- Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently with work agreed and managed at regular intervals.
- Ability to challenge existing practice and promote continuous quality improvement. Influencing and negotiating skills as well as adept at conflict resolution Presenting skills and IT literate - specifically in the MS office suite of programmes.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage distressing and challenging situations.
- Ability to challenge existing practice and promote continuous quality improvement.
- Influencing and negotiating skills as well as adept at conflict resolution
- High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be highly emotive.
- Ability to communicate information on formulation, risk and intervention to staff from other disciplines.
- Excellent report writing skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of RiO patient record system.
- Previous experience of assessing people who present in an acute mental health crisis.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Good range of information gathering skills.
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with learning disability, problems or other disabilities.
- Good range of problem solving skills.
- Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
- Ability to assess and manage risks.
- An ability to sustain empathy and personal engagement with individuals experiencing mental health problems or challenging behaviour.
- Willingness to embrace integrated model and new ways of working.
- Driven, reliable and methodical
Other requirements
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing a service to clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week may include some on-call work.
- Fit and able to undertake patient facing work as and when required
Desirable
- oPossession of a valid UK driving license.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional informationDisclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
West London NHS Trust
Address
St Bernards
Uxbridge Road London
Southall
UB1 3EU
Employer's website
https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
West London NHS Trust
Address
St Bernards
Uxbridge Road London
Southall
UB1 3EU
Employer's website
Salary range
- £15 - £43,466 per year